Seattle U entertains idea of switching to semester system
Mike Baldwin
Issue: 5/21/08 Section: News
While no formal talks have begun, Dean of Students Jacob Diaz confirms that informal talks have been going that discuss the possibility of a semester switch.
"My understanding is that there has been some discussion going on about the possible switch," said Diaz. "But it's been a very informal discussion."
Such a move would drastically alter the way Seattle U's school year fills the calendar. Many semester-based schools start in August or early September and get out as early as late April or May.
Such a move would allow Seattle U to be more in sync with other Washington universities, such as Washington State University or Seattle Pacific. A similar semester-based system would make it easier for students to study abroad and to move between universities. Seattle U currently runs most of its summer study and service abroad programs, such as Calcutta Club and Semester at Sea, during the summer and fall quarters.
"One concern is to be in line with other institutions for study abroad systems. If you study abroad during the fall quarter, then you have to leave in January and risk missing two quarters," said Diaz. "A move would make it easier for students and make things more consistent."
Switching to a semester system would also mean Seattle U students would end school at the same time as other students and theoretically would be able to compete better for jobs, instead of having to wait an extra one to two months before being able to accept summer internships or post-graduate positions.
Universities that do employ the semester system, such as the University of California at Mercer, argue that the 15-week course better allows students to develop knowledge on a subject and can work to greater challenge students in terms of projects.
But semester systems often have fewer, lower-credit classes than the five-credit classes offered in the quarter system. This means students are often required to take more than three classes a term, which can make for expanded workloads, and some critics argue that students retain more with fewer classes.
"My understanding is that there has been some discussion going on about the possible switch," said Diaz. "But it's been a very informal discussion."
Such a move would drastically alter the way Seattle U's school year fills the calendar. Many semester-based schools start in August or early September and get out as early as late April or May.
Such a move would allow Seattle U to be more in sync with other Washington universities, such as Washington State University or Seattle Pacific. A similar semester-based system would make it easier for students to study abroad and to move between universities. Seattle U currently runs most of its summer study and service abroad programs, such as Calcutta Club and Semester at Sea, during the summer and fall quarters.
"One concern is to be in line with other institutions for study abroad systems. If you study abroad during the fall quarter, then you have to leave in January and risk missing two quarters," said Diaz. "A move would make it easier for students and make things more consistent."
Switching to a semester system would also mean Seattle U students would end school at the same time as other students and theoretically would be able to compete better for jobs, instead of having to wait an extra one to two months before being able to accept summer internships or post-graduate positions.
Universities that do employ the semester system, such as the University of California at Mercer, argue that the 15-week course better allows students to develop knowledge on a subject and can work to greater challenge students in terms of projects.
But semester systems often have fewer, lower-credit classes than the five-credit classes offered in the quarter system. This means students are often required to take more than three classes a term, which can make for expanded workloads, and some critics argue that students retain more with fewer classes.
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